Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Role of Media and Communications in Actioning Climate Change: Discussion

Photo of Brian LeddinBrian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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The purpose of this morning's session is to have a discussion on the role of communications with regard to the climate action challenge we face as it extends to all issues of the communications challenge, including media and advertising. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. David Robbins, Dublin City University, DCU; Professor Pete Lunn, the behavioural research unit, the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, and Professor Ian Walker who joins us from Swansea University. All are very welcome.

I remind the witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If a witness's statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that the witnesses comply with any such direction. For our witness who is attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, there are limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, the witness may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present would. Members of the committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. If members are joining from their offices online, I ask them to confirm that they are present in the Leinster House complex prior to making their contributions.